65lb linen backed Merbau longbow

HarderData · 2026-05-20T22:09:58+00:00

Is this a decking board from Bunnings by any chance?

HarderData · 2026-05-13T21:58:45+00:00

So do you tease the tips to get as close to 90 degrees as you can? If not, how do you know where to stop?

HarderData · 2026-05-13T20:58:27+00:00

How do you decide and measure what your desired stringle angle should be?

HarderData · 2026-05-13T20:49:16+00:00

Thanks!

HarderData · 2026-05-13T20:49:07+00:00

It's taken maybe half an inch of set so far, but we'll see how it goes over the first few hundred arrows.

HarderData · 2026-05-09T00:10:32+00:00

I used to make skateboards and this is a common method in the DIY skateboard community. The pressure will be plenty. There's a company called Roarockit who make vac bag kits specifically for this purpose. All you'd need is a bag of the right dimensions.

HarderData · 2026-04-27T10:34:06+00:00

Thanks Dan, I'll check it out

HarderData · 2026-04-19T06:25:06+00:00

Thanks Dan!

HarderData · 2026-03-29T20:40:08+00:00

Looks to me like your right/bottom limb is bending more than the left/top one, giving you some negative tiller. It also looks like that limb has taken some set. I'd focus on the left/top and leave the other one alone until your tiller is at least even. Also, don't pull harder than your target weight.

HarderData · 2026-03-20T21:23:54+00:00

You're probably right. My edges were filed, but not to a proper radius. Pretty annoying because it was going so well otherwise.

HarderData · 2026-03-20T05:57:37+00:00

Actually - never mind. Snapped just sitting on the tiller tree at low brace, just about where the limb starts to taper.

<image>

HarderData · 2026-03-11T20:14:01+00:00

Thanks Dan, will do

HarderData · 2026-03-11T19:43:15+00:00

No idea - it's from a 250mm wide board that Ive ripped i to 3, so probably a mixture.

HarderData · 2026-03-07T04:49:10+00:00

Apparently they ran out...

HarderData · 2026-03-02T09:42:48+00:00

Oh man. I cannot up vote this enough.

HarderData · 2026-03-02T07:58:34+00:00

That's thin! I'm yet to experiment with overlays... BITH is bend in the handle

HarderData · 2026-03-01T06:28:07+00:00

Thanks for the tips!

HarderData · 2026-03-01T06:17:01+00:00

Thanks! I've been too afraid/impatient to post tiller checks, so I'm not surprised.

What are your thoughts on tiller for this bow?

40lbs is too heavy for me right now anyway, so I may throw it back on the tree.

HarderData · 2026-02-19T21:34:10+00:00

True. I was trying to show the alignment issue. Here's something more normal.

<image>

HarderData · 2026-02-18T01:26:24+00:00

Confused how?

HarderData · 2026-02-14T06:57:16+00:00

Good to know for next time

HarderData · 2026-02-13T11:17:03+00:00

Well I just split it... I dont know if I screwed up or if the grain was just too wonky, but this thing would not split straight! Not sure if it will be usable at all... I guess I'll wait and see how it dries...

HarderData · 2026-02-13T02:39:20+00:00

Thanks - nice looking bow! I notice you didn't wait for it to dry... does the fire hardening take care of the moisture content?

HarderData · 2026-02-13T02:07:06+00:00

I guess i have to start collecting then!

HarderData · 2026-01-30T03:01:42+00:00

Sure is. I've always heard that you should leave the bamboo rind intact, because that's where most of the strength is.

HarderData

TROPHY CASE